The Lives and Characters of the English Dramatick Poets/William Walker
William Walker.
A Young Gentleman of about Nineteen Years of Age, he was born (if I'm not mis-inform'd) in the Isle of Barbadoes, and of a good Family, his Education was most in England; he has publish'd one Play, call'd,
Victorious Love, a Tragedy, as it is acted at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, 1698. 4to. and dedicated to the Honourable James Kendal, Esq; one of the Lords of the Admiralty. He tells us in the Preface, that he acted a part himself in his Play, which I suppose was no Disadvantage to it: for it was, as we learn from the same Preface, well received by the Town. The Play seems to be a kind of Imitation of Oroonoko only here instead of one, they are all Negroe's. But, if they think the Devil white, methinks she shou'd scarce be so very Amiable in their Eyes; but under this Censure Imoinda wou'd equally fall; and 'tis very excusable in so young a Beginner as Mr. Walker. I only say it, for fear the Publick should go on, and we see nothing but Black Heroes for the Future, since the Colour spreads so fast on the Stage. The Greek Poets seldom went out of Greece for their Heroes; but ours on the contrary, find Heroes every where but in their own Country; this is no Argnment of their Judgment or Vertue; for if Example be that they wou'd instruct by, the nearer the Example is related to us, the more force it will naturally have upon us.